Bored and tired of waiting, Malich dresses and joins Arya just in time to catch her in his arms when she collapses, all of her energy spent. For a merciless killer, Arya had a huge heart. It’s just like her to give to those she feels responsible for with no regard for herself. It’s who she is…a walking, talking, breathing contradiction. He carries her back to her palace bed and watches while she sleeps for three moons.
“I have our best searching for your parents but we have come up empty handed,” Mekhi informs him.
“Keep looking. Kahlem won’t let my parents out of his sight. He’s too afraid to lose his leverage over me,” Malich paces. “I do not intend to marry princess Grayson and I do not wish to break Arya’s heart.”
Mekhi nods and exits the room as Alara enters for the hundredth time to check on her sister. “Someone should have stopped her from depleting her power like this,” Alara scoffs angrily, “Look at her. She’s a sitting duck.”
“Didn’t think you cared so much. Or perhaps you came here to finish the job you started with her throat. Why are you hereAlara?”
She blanches as if shocked by his question. “She’s my sister Prince Jarrah. What I did before…I regretted it the moment I did it. All I’ve ever wanted is to get to know her but…”
“But what?”
Alara shakes whatever thought she’s having out of her head and focus’ on Arya. “Does she know you were the one to separate us? That you’ve known about me this whole time and purposely chose not to tell her?” She asks.
“You hurt her.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose, I just didn’t know how to control it!” Alara shouts angrily at him.
“And what exactly is itAlara? This darknesssurrounding you? It wasn’t always there. You wielded the light, the same as she. What happened to you when you slipped my soldiers?”
Alara swallows hard, but she gives nothing in the form of an explanation. “I love my sister. If you try to interfere with our relationship, I’ll tell her everything. How long do you think she’ll stand by you when she finds out about all of the secrets you’ve been keeping?”
“Is that a threat Darkin?”
“Take it as you wish, just stopcoming between us. Stop influencing her to shut me out.”
“Not until you answer all of my questions, like who had your son. It wasn’t Kahlem. My brother is a lot of things but he’s not the baby-snatching kind.”
“Just stop coming between us or it’ll be your throat I slit next,” Alara threatens him.
Malich huffs a laugh, “And how well did that work out for you the last time girl? Sister or not, I will wipe you off the face of the planes for good if you ever lift a finger to hurt her or threaten me again.”
Alara glares at him then turns on her heel stomping off down the hall. Arya begins to stir and for a moment fear grips his heart wondering if she heard their conversation. When she smiles at the sight of him, he realizes she hasn’t.
“My citizens?”
“In their homes,” he smiles back, “and happy.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Three moons. You shouldn’t take risks like that Arya.”
Arms outstretched like a cat, arching her back, Arya stretches before climbing to her feet. She saunters over to him and presses her lips to his. “Was I dreaming or did you carry me back here in your arms like a night in shining armor?” She smirks.
“Well I got about one hundred meters before I had to call for a wagon you were so heavy,” he teases. She swats his arm and he laughs.
Laughing she tells him, “You’re an arse.”
“So you keep telling me,” his eyes rake over her. “You’re still here though, so you must like it.”
“Eh…I like someparts of you,” Arya’s eyes drop to his favorite organ. Again he laughs.
“I must get back to the Summer Court. My absence has been noted and my brothers would like to embark on another round of who has the bigger cock.” Arya groans, hinting at her disapproval. “I know-I know, but Eli and Lila have been brought here at your request and I’ve released, Lumi, Rayu and Jax to your service. They’re all waiting for you.”
“When will you be back?” She asks.
“I’m not sure, but leave a window open for me to crawl through,” he winks.
Malich presses his lips against hers one last time before heading back to the Summer Court. The journey appears shorter and shorter each time he takes it. Hopefully in the future, once he figures a way out of his nuptials to Princess Grayson, he can remain within the Seelie Court to rule at Arya’s side.
When he gets back to his palace he’s surprised to find the Princess waiting for him, her protective detail in tow.
His gaze slides to Banon; the princess’ most trusted advisor and the right hand to her ailing father. Banon inclines his head to Malich who returns the gesture. He slides his gaze to the Princess and then to his smiling brothers who’d just come out of his office.
“Does his majesty make house calls now?” Malich asks.
“He does when his brother goes missing without word,” Kahlem glares at him.
“Relax brother, I was tending to urgent matters,” Malich waves him off.
“What could be more urgent than your upcoming nuptials to Princess Grayson?”
“A stroll through my territory.”
Malich’s soldiers began to snicker at his response and so did a few of the Princess’ protective detail, earning them a glare from both the Princess and Kahlem.
“Do not insult me your highness,” the Princess bristles.
“Never Princess,” Malich clasps a hand to his heart and inclines his head, “I just don’t take kindly to being pressured.”
As a Princess, he knew she understood the type of pressure he was referring too and understanding shone in her eyes. She smiles and inclines her head. “Well how is this for pressure?” Kahlem closes in on him. “You are to go to the Winter Court where you and the Princess will get to know one another before your impending nuptials in four moons. More importantly, you will familiarize yourself with the Court, its key players and its citizens because once your nuptials are complete, that is where you’ll be living out your days as King of the Winter Court.”
“As you wish your majesty,” Malich reluctantly nods.
Arokin, Bevi and Kahlem smirk as they exit his palace. If he could he’d slit their throats before they ever stepped foot outside the front door, but that’s one war he didn’t want to sign up for. He’d be known as a traitor instead of the King he’s meant to be.
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